Continued: Prep basketball enriches daughter-coach relationships

“When the buzzer went off at the section final game, my mom ran on the court with us and we were hugging,” Hayes said.

That moment signaled a step in the evolution of their basketball relationship. Joubert-Hayes admitted she “never wanted to be her head coach.” But that’s exactly what happened when she joined the Park Center coaching staff last season. Years of coaching experience were of little help to this new wrinkle.

“The dynamic is so different with a mother coaching her daughter than a father coaching his daughter,” Joubert-Hayes said. “It’s a delicate balance because I think it’s harder to separate being mom from being coach.”

Hayes concurred.

“Last year was weird,” she said. “I would call her mom on the court. Now I know to call her Coach.”

Joubert-Hayes found delegating to be successful.

“If we have to get on her, I try to have another one of the coaches do that,” Joubert-Hayes said. “She’s coachable but she’s also a sensitive 14-year-old. But she has matured this season and she is more willing to take guidance from me.”

Hayes said she had learned to better appreciate her mother’s company.

“This is my first year of high school so I’m glad she is there,” Hayes said. “Having her with me is really cool.”